Hands-on assists in Prasarita Padottanasana C

Learn how to give hands on assists in prasarita padottanasana – wide legged forward fold. Prasarita has many benefits, including stretching the legs and shoulders and lengthening the spine. This may be one of Doron’s favorite adjustments to receive, since it really helps deepen the shoulder stretch in a way that is not possible on our own. However, it is one of the easiest ones to mess up. If you do not support your student correctly or let them out of the pose gently, they will tip over.

Prasarita Padottanasana C – Hands On Assist

This assist helps lengthen the back and open the shoulders. The first thing we need to remember with this assist is that we are helping stabilize the student so that they do not fall forward.

Once your student is in the pose, place your leg just a quarter inch or so in front of their leg so they can lean forward, and then stabilize them with one of your hands right at the base of their spine, on the lower back. Take the other hand and grab their hands and begin to push their arms deeper into the pose. This adjustment really opens up the shoulders. Find the place where your student’s shoulders begin to offer natural resistance. Always be aware of how your student is feeling and breathing, so as not to push them too far.

Stay with your student and breathe with them for several breaths, gently pressing down on their hands to get them deeper into the pose. Remember to keep them stabilized with your leg and other hand so they don’t fall forward.

Another adjustment you can perform here is to let go of your student’s hands, and place the hand on their upper spine, pressing down and helping them fold a little further. Keep your other hand at the base of their spine for stabilization. This helps to lengthen the spine and really stretches out your student’s back.

To release, first let go of the hand that was on the student’s hands/back, then slowly move your leg away from theirs so they need to support themselves. Then just allow them to come up and out of the pose.

Share and Assist

If this video helped deepen your teaching, leave a comment and share it to your students or other teachers! They get to learn more and you get good karma!

For more teaching tips, check out Doron’s YouTube Channel. For in-depth, Yoga Alliance-certified teacher trainings, visit us at the Doron Yoga & Zen Centre at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.

Blissful Living,

Doron